Drafted in the 7th round (217th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014 (signed for $100,000)

Franco spent two seasons at Howard (Texas) JC before Tommy John surgery in 2012, making the 22-year-old a fourth-year junior. He had a solid inaugural campaign at Florida International but has broken out this year as a Friday night starter. He cut his walk rate in half from last year (from 4.8 to 2.5 per nine) while striking out 10.2 per nine. With a three-pitch mix, Franco is something of a stock righthander. His fastball sits 88-92 mph and has touched 95 when thrown with more effort. He creates behind-head deception, though his fastball can be flat from a high three-quarters arm slot. His breaking ball flashes average but is not consistent, and he pairs it with a changeup that shows average potential. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Franco has a thicker midsection and will need to watch his conditioning. He is a bulldog on the mound and throws strikes.